He did that early afternoon after finding out about the shootings. It’s to bring additional state resources to the investigation, and for identification of the victims. CNN’s very late in reporting this.
Governor Kaine Declares State of Emergency to Coordinate Response to VT Shootings
From: Governor Kaine Press Release
April 16, 2007
Governor Tim M. Kaine declared a state of emergency in the Commonwealth of Virginia Monday, directing state agencies to take all necessary actions to aid in the response and recovery following today’s shootings at Virginia Tech.
A declaration of emergency allows the Governor to immediately deploy state personnel, equipment, and other resources, and to coordinate state and local response in the immediate aftermath of a tragedy.
“State agencies, including State Police and the Virginia Departments of Health and Emergency Management, are doing everything possible to be of assistance to those who were injured, and those who have lost loved ones in this tragedy,” Governor Kaine said.
The Virginia State Police are on-scene in Blacksburg investigating the shootings in cooperation with local law enforcement. The Department of Health has sent the Chief Medical Examiner and additional personnel to the area to assist with the fatalities.
The Virginia Department of Emergency Management has sent staff to the scene to advise and assist local emergency managers and first responders. The Virginia Emergency Operations Center is coordinating state level assistance. In addition, the state will help coordinate crisis counseling assistance for those in need.
Additional information about the recovery at Virginia Tech will be available online at www.vt.edu.
Separately, Governor Kaine has ordered the lowering of the Virginia state flag in honor of those who were killed or injured in today’s shootings.
http://www.nbc29.com/Global/story.asp?S=6377326&clienttype=mobile
Just read on another thread this was due to flooding? Seems everything about this story has a degree of confusion associated with it.